The South China Sea is one of the important seaways for some famous Southeast Asian countries including China. It is bordered by several countries such as Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Philippines, and among others. The affair is that all the surrounding states have staked out their claims to the water territory.

However, China said that this whole sea is theirs alone, going by their line known as the nine-dash line. They all consider Sea importance because contain lot of resource including the sea is rich in oil & gas and the sea is also well known for fishing.

China claims the entire South China Sea based on the nine-dash line, leading to disputes with neighboring countries.

Furthermore, goods to the tune of trillions of US dollars transit through the Sea annually. The Sea contains approximately sixty percent of the overall maritime business and over twenty-two percent of the general business. As for now, China is constructing man-made Islands off the coast, and they have missiles, aircraft carriers, and their navy.

Hence, there is a probability for frequent intense armed conflict between China and other SCS claimants’ nations in relation to the water. America desires to contain the rising power which signifies that the US is prepared to back its friends in the situation. Washington one of the oldest dominant powers in the region has alliance with many of the Southeast Asian state and assist them in different time against the aggressive of China.

The region is crucial, containing rich oil and gas resources and being a major route for global trade.

Washington intends to bring more additional support of the type of logistical and financial assistance to the countries of South China Sea area. The US also proclaimed something against China during their extremity against Taiwan and said that the United States will always support Taiwan. The US only now seeks to defend their own interests in the region and eliminate China’s dominancy.

In the recent past, a few months ago, there emerged tension in the conflict area in the South China Sea involving China and the Philippines. The Chinese coast guard intruded into the Philippines’ EEZ, ramming one of the Ship of the Philippines but nobody was injured from the incident. In March, the Chinese ships sprayed water cannon on the Philippine ship which affected the structure of the ship.

Recent tensions include Chinese coast guard aggression towards Philippine vessels, escalating the conflict.

The Chinese coastal guards were trailing the ship for many hours before they finally stopped it. In the following by a report, it has been observed that the cost guards were not PLA uniformed soldiers but civil looked personnel working for PLA as intelligent agents. Also, China threatened one of the Philippine vessels and even slashed the vessel with a knife.

Later, it has tried to climax at a high boiling point consequently it may be a threat to regional stability and negates peace. Nonetheless, the Chinese aggressive action against the Philippine vessels have created a trouble across the South China Sea and other neighbouring states were more wary about the sovereignty assertion. Thus, China acts as the largest and a more powerful country in the South China Sea without any respect for existing claims and rights of the other states.

The US supports the Philippines, providing military aid and stationing mid-range missile systems in the region.

Washington describes the Chinese behaviour reckless and assumes that China will act worse in any other way if the China slagging off the Philippines’ right of the territorial claim. Further, the Washington also said that, if the Chinese side persisted with imposing an aggressive activity on the Philippines Cost Guard, the Washington would counteract China. However, the US and the Philippines have increased sector cooperation since the latter part of last year. Last year in 2023 the Philippines allowed four military bases for the use of the US. In April 2024 the US bring the mid-range typhoon missile system in the Philippines.

Besides, the Washington also promised $500m for Philippines as a military to enhance partnership with the Manila. The US has done this recently due to the conflict that recently happened in the South China Sea between China and Philippine. Hence, China may feel threatened by the continually growing consolidation between the US and the Philippines.

Before that, China uses its largest aircraft carrier known as the Shandong in water of south China sea. The vessels of the said carrier were anchored on the North-West of the Philippines Island known as Luzon. Certain analysts have argued that this act of China was to warn Washington and Manila in the disputed sea. Also, it is worth stating that the PLA has also accelerated its military manoeuvring in the disputed water over the recent months.

Bilateral talks between China and the Philippines in July aimed to de-escalate tensions and find a non-violent resolution.

However, there were some bilateral negotiations being conducted by both states in July in a bid to find a non-violent way of handling the issue. This bearing and outlook for the methodical design derives from positive and developmental talks between the Chinese Vice foreign minister and the Philippines foreign affairs secretary regarding the South China Sea.

Both states have come up with a preliminary agreement, and the Chinese Vice Minister of foreign affairs concurred that we have agreed on a ‘temporary deal with Manila’. In addition, they pledged to work on how to reduce the levels of tension and handle the matters through negotiations instead of violence.